Steering rack end?

Steering rack end?

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Discussion

Eelblady

Original Poster:

66 posts

154 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Good and bad news at the weekend:

THE GOOD: my S3C passed its MOT (its first in my ownership). Also took the opportunity to have a better look at the chassis than I got when I bought it and all is as solid as originally thought.

THE BAD: got an advisory on play in the steering rack ends (NOT the track rod ends, that would be too simple! - the joints at the inner end of the track rods). Been searching everywhere and have not been able to locate any.

Some resource on here indicates the rack is modified Chevette with the track rods and ends being Cortina Mk3, but can't find any Cortina Mk3 track rods anywhere. All the TVR parts suppliers on line don't seem to go as far back as the S3, which isn't a help.

Anybody able to confirm (or deny) the Cortina Mk3 information? Better still anybody able to point me to where I might get some?

Found some threads on steering rack refurbishment but wasn't clear whether the play experienced (and then cured) was the rack as opposed to the ends.

Many thanks in advance.

Griffinr

1,017 posts

181 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
It would be a good idea to pull back the gaiter on the offending end and see what the general condition of the rack is like, if its dry of lubrication and / or rusty it’s probably time for a professional rebuild. That would sort out the play and I don’t think it’s too expensive. There’ll no doubt be recommendations for rack re-conditioners on here soon.
My wifes car has had slight play in the inner joints for the last 60k and its never got any worse, the MOT man says it’s not worth an advisory in his opinion.
Rob.

Eelblady

Original Poster:

66 posts

154 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Sounds like a plan! Thanks for replying.

Re steering rack refurb reccomendations; I'm near liverpool if that helps anybody

Barkychoc

7,848 posts

211 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
All the chim / griff boys swear by Kiley Clinton in Birmingham - they will courier your rack I think give them a call.

http://www.steering-racks.co.uk/


Eelblady

Original Poster:

66 posts

154 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Thanks, will bookmark that, tempted to monitor for a few hundred miles based on the above reply.

Thanks both for quick and helpful (as usual!) replies

phillpot

17,279 posts

190 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all

Long time since I've delved that far into a steering rack but I believe some have shims under the big nut holding the track rod on or possibly a lock nut to adjust out minor amounts of play?

Obviously if anything is badly worn, corroded or damaged more serious repairs may be required.

Gerald-TVR

4,896 posts

204 months

Wednesday 30th May 2012
quotequote all
Barkychoc said:
All the chim / griff boys swear by Kiley Clinton in Birmingham - they will courier your rack I think give them a call.

http://www.steering-racks.co.uk/
They did my S2 rack via Exactly TVR Coventry first class job and quick

The Big G

998 posts

175 months

Wednesday 30th May 2012
quotequote all
Gerald-TVR said:
Barkychoc said:
All the chim / griff boys swear by Kiley Clinton in Birmingham - they will courier your rack I think give them a call.

http://www.steering-racks.co.uk/
They did my S2 rack via Exactly TVR Coventry first class job and quick
+1

Very quick turn around and a good price too. £75+VAT plus £11 p&p for mine

Eelblady

Original Poster:

66 posts

154 months

Wednesday 30th May 2012
quotequote all
Definitely a consensus on recommendations - many thanks all

Fefeu52

199 posts

73 months

Monday 15th November 2021
quotequote all
I had the same problem with my S3C : Some play in the inner bal joint, passenger side.

I removed the rack from the car. The job is really easy, there is enough space.

The "nut" is hold in place by a little crimp. There is no pin. It's easy to remove with a pipe wrench.



Inside, there is a plastic cup and a spring.



I removes the grease and the spring to adjust the ball play. Tightening the "nut" a little bit more was enough to tighten the driver side, but for the passenger side, I have to sand the "nut".

After putting the spring back in place, and greasing, I just have to weld a point to replace the crimp.



I'm waiting for new gaiters and ball joints to put the rack back in place. Job done smile